Black. A simple, yet mysterious color.
Katriona.
Yes?
Don't go. Zachary needs you.
No he doesn't.
He does.
He's got his brothers.
He needs you. Don't leave him...
---
Zac held the girl, rocking to and fro. "C'mon, Katriona! Wake up!"
---
Taylor jerked from Ike's grasp and stepped forward staring at the girl laying on the floor. Her bright red hair made her skin pale in contrast, and the bruises along her neckline stood out starkly.
Did he do that?
---
Zac looked up, face as smooth as stone. "You killed her."
Tay shook his head dumbly.
"You did!"
---
Ooooh, the pain.
Katriona sucked in great mouthfuls of air.
---
"Kat!" Zac cried and held her up as she coughed drily.
She nodded jerkily, her hair falling into her face.
"Are you okay?" he asked urgently.
She nodded again. "Yeah." she croaked.
---
Isaac turned at a familiar name.
".. and now, the world famous Tulsa trio, pop band Hanson have disappeared from Tulsa International Airport. They were last seen leaving the airport with a female... description of brown hair..."
He stared at the TV, barely comprehending.
---
Katriona sat up and coughed, holding her neck carefully.
"Thank you." Zac told her quietly.
She smiled shakily. "You're very welcome."
---
"...and tonight's tragedy is, bizarrely, linked with the missing Hansons as well. The flight to London they were to catch, flight 304, crashed in the Atlantic Ocean tonight at around 9:20..."
Ike gaped at the screen as grisly pictures flashed across the screen. "That.. that."
Taylor turned and caught the news.
Ike turned back. "You saved us." he said aloud, startled at his tone of voice.
She nodded.
"You saved us. That's why you kidnapped us."
She nodded again and pulled her hair from out of her face.
"There was no other friend here, was there?" Isaac asked suddenly.
She shook her head. "I was bluffing."
"But you were left alone with 3 boys."
She smiled again. "Yeah, I know."
"What about your other friend?"
She sighed. "She had to go and lose her car somewhere and report it stolen in case airport surveillance caught her."
Isaac nodded. "You saved us." he repeated.
She smiled again, her face lighting up. "Glad you feel that way." she said, watching Zac.
---
"Zac?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm sorry I hurt you. Deeply."
He chuckled slightly. "I'd rather have a sore arm than be in that plane..."
"Why didn't you tell us?" Taylor broke in, asking accusingly.
"Because you wouldn't have believed me." Katriona said, feeling his hate.
"We would have." Tay insisted.
Isaac shook his head. "She's right. We would have gone 'Oh yeah? That's weird. Here's a signed shirt! Later'."
Taylor shook his head stubbornly. "Why didn't you save the rest of them?"
Katriona sighed. "Because it's kind of hard kidnapping 280 passengers, Taylor. Besides, I was meant to come for you."
He raised an eyebrow doubtfully. "Uh huh."
She sighed again. "It's true. I know you don't like me, but look. I did what I could to keep you guys from getting on that plane. I did it, you're here. You're alive. The world can now rejoice in your save."
Please don't hate me, Taylor, she thought desperately.
"I don't." he said irritably, ignoring the look of surprise from his brothers. "The way you handled it..."
Katriona nodded. "I know, and I'm sorry. Please forgive me."
He grew serious. "I'm... sorry for hurting you. I am grateful for what you've done."
Katriona nodded, but she knew he would not get over it for a while. "I'm sorry to have hurt you guys. I didn't mean to." she said softly. "I wanted only to protect you."
Isaac pulled a hand through his hair, suddenly tired at the turn of events. "Yeah. That's okay. You can save us anytime you want."
---
Taylor looked away from her honest gaze.
Honest?
He looked up sharply, but she was smiling to herself...